A little girl preparing to travel to the USA for revolutionary treatment on a cancerous brain tumour has been dealt devastating news.

Eight-year-old Ianessa Connor, from Carrickfergus , is now in the care of her brother Steven following the recent deaths of her mum and grandmother.

She was due to travel to Florida this week for proton therapy on a cancerous tumour which had developed in her brain.

But the latest scan has shown the tumour has grown so rapidly, Ianessa is not longer medically fit to fly.

Her devastated brother, Steven Connor, 28, said: "We were all prepared to go to Florida for Ianessa's treatment which we believed would cure her of this cancer but now she is too sick to even travel.

"The proton therapy would have been the least invasive and least damaging treatment for her because it attacks the tumour only and leaves the rest of the area, in this case Ianessa's brain, unharmed.

Wee cutie Ianessa before she took ill

"But now we are facing surgery in Belfast followed by proton therapy which we hope will be as effective to get rid of the cancer, although we know the side effects can be horrendous and we are preparing ourselves for the possibility, even the probability that she will be left with disabilities as a result of the treatment.

"There is just no choice. I have told Ianessa I will be by her side and we will do whatever we need to do to help her get better.

Ianessa had bravely been practising her mask and lying very still in preparation for surgery

"And we have to take the word of the medial experts on board. Hoping that they may be wrong is not going to make the situation any different. Her surgeon says the rate of growth and the amount of fluid in the tumour is alarming and he cannot recommend her to fly.

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"So the only alternative is treatment here in Northern Ireland at the The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. We are totally gutted because it takes all the hope we had and has thrown it about the place and now we're back to square one wondering where this will all end."

Steven set up a gofundme page for Ianessa to help pay for living expenses during the intended medical trip to the US.

More than £6,000 was quickly raised in Ianessa's name and it remains in the account.

Steven from Edenvale, Carrickfergus , said: "I was always worried about asking strangers for money to help us handle this situation. But it was for Ianessa so I did it and people were incredibly generous and I am so thankful for that.

"Now the money is not needed to cover Florida expenses and after talking to Ianessa's nurses and our family and close friends, I feel I might use what is needed to create a soft play area for her and a place where she can recover in comfort and safety.

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"But I'm frightened because already I can see the effects of the tumour increasing in Ianessa. She is losing concentration a lot and her energy levels are very low.

Ianessa is surrounded by love. She is pictured with ben McCann, her aunt Denise, sister, Shannon and brother Steven in the family home. Picture by Justin Kernoghan

"She will be admitted for surgery on January 8 to try to get as much of the tumour removed as possible. And the moment she is thought to be recovered enough from the surgery she will be in the cancer unit to have the photon radiotherapy.

"The doctors and all of the support staff have been so helpful and are doig everything they can for Ianessa. The NHS have been fantastic and I'll always be grateful too doctors and nurses, specialists and everyone in the backround.

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"She's such a brilliant wee girl and has faced all of this by putting her trust in me to help make her better. I need a miracle for Ianessa and I hope we get lots of support as we head into all of this because it really, really helps."